| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2015.1 |
| Topic No.: |
N151-012 |
| Topic Title: |
Innovative Approach to Rapidly Qualify Ti-6Al-4V Metallic Aircraft Parts Manufactured by Additive Manufacturing (AM) Techniques |
| Proposal No.: |
N151-012-1102 |
| Firm: |
Materials & Electrochemical Research (MER) Corp.
7960 S. Kolb Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85756-9237 |
| Contact: |
Sion Pickard |
| Phone: |
(520) 574-1980 |
| Web Site: |
www.mercorp.com |
| Abstract: |
MER will implement closed loop process control of its high rate Plasma Transfer Arc (PTA) additive manufacturing system primarily for use with high rate Ti-6-4 wire deposition (>20 lb. Ti-6-4 /hr.) and also for powder feeds. Use of an ICMSE process model developed by Applied optimization (AO) in Phase I will provide the basis of closed loop control by guiding the build torch power setting by comparing measured sensor data for local melt pool temperature with that predicted by the model for defect free builds and controlled and uniform microstructure. In addition to implementing the closed loop process control, MER will evaluate use of mid IR temperature mapping of the melt pool to identify random processing defects and allow for their mitigation and removal by resurfacing and insitu machining. For mechanical property management of the build, Questek will provide the framework for a microstructural vs mechanical property physics based model so that a microstructurally controlled and defect free deposit can be produced with predictable mechanical properties to allow accelerated qualification of Ti-6-4 PTA AM parts |
| Benefits: |
Corrosion resistant high temperature Ti-6-4 structural components for mission critical applications including manned spaceflight, Aerospace, all applications where Ti-6-4 wrought products are currently employed. |